Count Blessings, Not Calories

Last Updated on January 27, 2023 by Kayla

If you are reading this, you are likely on a personal endeavor to free up mental energy and learn how to stop counting calories.

You might be feeling a little bad and bloaty following a binge, or perhaps you’re desperate to impose a penance for your less-than-perfect eating over the course of the past day, week, month, or year.

Give yourself a break, forget what you ate/drank yesterday or what delicious food remains in your refrigerator. Feeling guilty about what you ate only compounds the stress and negative vibes you’re already feeling.

Don’t let this shame spiral send you into a feeding frenzy to eat up the rest of the chocolate truffles, so they’re “not there to tempt you tomorrow.” You have enough on your plate (theoretically speaking), so don’t allow food to rob you of any more mental stress.​

Things to count besides calories

As enticing as it is to purge your pantry and fridge of all the “bad” foods – starting tomorrow, of course – I recognize that it can be even more tempting to “make up” for your food sins with a series of tasteless protein shakes and zero carbs – all tracked diligently in your favorite calorie-counting app. 🛑 STOP THIS!

If you are wondering how to stop counting calories and are desperate to count something, consider tallying the following.

Instead of calories, count…

• Colors on your plate 🌈
• Grams of protein 🍗
• Vegetable servings 🥗
• Daily steps 👣
• Fluid ounces 💧
• Minutes of reading 📚
• Hours of sleep 💤
• Your blessings 💙

Resorting to restriction makes you feel “in control” in the short term, but this behavior is bound to send you into the same downward spiral come Friday when your co-workers invite you out for happy hour, and you “blow it” again. Stop starting over and learn new strategies to improve your health and relationship with food.

If this sounds like a play-by-play of your internal dialogue and you are a woman who’s had bariatric surgery, check out my 30-day Back On Track Program to help optimize your mindset and metabolism after weight loss surgery.

Learn real-life eating strategies like how to manage blood sugar, reincorporate carbs, and enjoy your favorite foods without guilt. Receive guidance from a Bariatric Dietitian in a supportive group setting and reach your goals for good!

Words from the Wise

“Health is like money. We never have a true idea of its value until we lose it.”

 – Josh Billings

We take so much for granted including our health, mobility, and abilities. When these privileges are limited or removed, we become upset, angry, unhappy, etc.

Take proactive measures to protect – and optimize – your health. Whether it’s your weight, career, relationships, or finances, if you aren’t where you want to be, something must change. Your circumstances won’t change if you don’t change.